Neighborhood Watch Kicks Off In Astoria

The Queens Tribune wrote about the Neighborhood Watch, which was enacted in response to the recent surge of crimes in Queens. Senator Gianaris, along with Vallone and Simotas, has also proposed legislation that will protect children from predators after a girl was inappopriately touched by an unknown man.

In light of a recent Astoria crime surge, Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria) organized the first meeting of a new Neighborhood Watch in an effort to take back the streets.

The event was attended by a core group of community leaders, local residents and elected officials who came together to discuss strategies to deter criminal activity in an area that has recently seen an attempted rape, three shootings, multiple gropings and numerous car break-ins.

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In September, following an incident in which a young girl was inappropriately touched by an unknown man, Vallone, Simotas, and State Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) joined together to introduce a bill that would protect children from predators.